Wreaths Across America

I absolutely LOVE Christmas.  It is a gift my mother shared with the three of us girls.  As the season draws to a close, I try and photograph the things that made it special that year.  This past year, we are back in the USA, and are living near a military cemetery.  We took a walk on a cold Kansas day, to the cemetery to take pictures.  Enjoy the view through my eyes that day!

http://wreathsacrossamerica.org/ 

We walked through the cemetery and stood each wreath back up in its place, since the wind had knocked them over.  It was amazing to be in a place where so many lived, and died (from the late 1850's through 2010).

To the Unknown Soldiers of the Civil War (and the CSA - Confederate States Army).  Not all of the graves has wreaths.  The CSA was in the section that did not have them this year.

  To all the branches of service: National Guard, Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, Air Force, and the POW*MIA.  

  

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO KEEP THIS GREAT COUNTRY FREE!!!!

Future Posters in need of quotes

I have played around with these images, but can't quite seem to find the right motivational quote to put on them.  I like the coloring, and the letter spacing on all of the photos below, but not the sayings.  Ideas?

  

#1

#2

#3 This is of a little kid in a refuge camp in Czech.

#4 I think the quote needs to be smaller so I can enlarge it on the right.

  

#5 These eyes are so intense - this is of a Gypsy girl in the Ukraine.  I also think I need to find better coloring and spacing for the quote - maybe a shorter one.

#6 This is of a very happy Gypsy boy in the Ukraine.

#7 If you look closely, this Gypsy grandmother has a number inked on her arm (possible from concentration camps?)  This village was so poor, but the joy that came from them has never left me.

 

#8

 

#9 I think I am happy with this one.  

  
  

There's no place I'd rather be . . .

These pictures evoke such memories for me.  Enjoy a small view from my eyes.

Seoul, South Korea

Rocky Point, Mexico

Tokyo, Japan

Germany

Holland

Costa Rica

(Mom took this photo)

Philippines

Byron Bay, Australia

Phoenix, Arizona

Animals with a Smile

LUNCH TIME

On our honeymoon in Estes Park, we came across a herd grazing on the side of the road.  They were not afraid of us at all.

These birds were everywhere in Byron Bay, AUS.

At Steve Irwin's Zoo in AUS

I love the contrast in this picture.  I only wished he would have turned so I could have gotten his face.

The dogs on a family camping trip.  

Tree Frogs in Costa Rica - we were able to hold them :)

BATH TIME

In Kyoto, Japan - these guys sure put on a show - glad I had my camera.

FUN IN THE SUN

The young female whale in the warm oceans of Hawaii.  She entertained us for almost an hour.  I love how the sun is reflecting off her tail.

Sydney, AUS

The bird show was magnificent with the Opera House in the background.

New baby elephant (can't remember if this was in AUS, or COS).

Locks of Love

Across Asia, we discovered locks locked on the Great Wall of China, and at Seoul Tower.  Of course we looked up the story, and discovered that couples wrote their name on a lock, and locked it in a place where the world could see their love.  The key was then thrown into the river.  Of course, we played along, and now have our lock placed forever at the top of Seoul Tower.

Judd and Michelle

March 22, 2008

These are the ones we found on the Great Wall of China.

My 1st try at turning photos to posters!

Instead of purchasing motivational posters, I began creating my own from pictures I've taken. This was taken on a trip to Czech Republic.

This one is of a friend's hand (thank you Alec).  

This one wasn't taken by M.E., but was taken on my camera when I loaned it to a student on a field trip!

After neck surgery, I was limited in what I could do at YL camp.  I sat in the grass by the blob, and saw this.  I still can't believe I caught it on film!

The one day bloom in my parents' backyard. 

This one was through the glass and the bars at the zoo.  I love how it turned out.

This one is my favorite!  The quote is from a song by Sarah Brightman, and the photo is of the HS where I worked in CC.